Bibliographical information:

Swope, Sam. The Araboolies of Liberty Street. Illus. Barry Root. New York: C.N. Potter, 1989.

Swope, Sam. The Araboolies of Liberty Street. New York: Sunburst,  2001.

Brief summary:

On Liberty Street, the General and Mrs. Pinch keep their neighbors in line by threatening to call in the army "at anything that looked like fun," or any thing noisy, disorderly, or joyous. When the colorful and loud Araboolies arrive, the General and Mrs. Pinch are very upset, and when they're window is broken during a game of boolanoola ball, they call in the army. During the night, the children take action, painting their own homes and faces, so that when the army comes to cart away those who are "different," they drag away the pinches instead.

Comments:

The illustrations are happy and colorful, but the allegory here is a bit heavy-handed. Also, though I'm no hawk, I'm not a big fan of turning the army into the bogeyman with which to threaten children.  

Grade/Age level:

Ages 4-6 

Cautions:

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

--Lisa Gordis

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